memorial wall, hearts on the covid memorial well, just hearts on the covid memorial wall, just over the river. everyone represents a life lost to this awful disease. for every single heart, there is a human being loved, morant and missed. for each, there is a story around them of awful loss, of grief compounded by goodbyes and over smartphones, lives ended alone, people robbed of precious time together. and relatives unable to comfort iurge i urge members who continue to defend mrjohnson and attack the committee and their findings to think of these families, and what this means to them. they are our constituents. by defending mr johnson's consistent insistence that banks use birthdays and morale boosting parties were essential work events, this hurts them. does

boosting parties were essential work events, this hurts them.— events, this hurts them. does she auree events, this hurts them. does she agree that — events, this hurts them. does she agree that those _ events, this hurts them. does she agree that those members - events, this hurts them. does she agree that those members of - events, this hurts them. does she| agree that those members of this, who seem — agree that those members of this, who seem to think that abstention is an appropriate response to this debate, — an appropriate response to this debate, are wholly wrong, that this debate _ debate, are wholly wrong, that this debate goes to the heart of the very democratic— debate goes to the heart of the very democratic principles on which our democracy— democratic principles on which our democracy is founded, and that therefore. _ democracy is founded, and that therefore, for those people abstaining, they are guilty notjust of cowardice and duplicity but the very contempt firm which boris johnson — very contempt firm which boris johnson has been found responsible? of course, _ johnson has been found responsible? of course, this is a matter. it is therefore not worked, and like the leader of, i will be voting to approve and endorse this report and its recommendations, and i urge others to do the same. because, by failing to admit that such events were against the rules, and that he should have admitted that as early as possible, mrjohnson is dishonouring their sacrifice. sacrifice is that they made in the correct belief that they were doing so to protect others. losses that can never be recovered, birthdays

happy to let mick happen every day. it is mrjohnson�*s today. they can be postponed, i know that they were. however, funerals cannot. i ask every mp to look into their hearts and ask themselves, before they risk dishonouring their constituents sacrifices, they should ask if a relative of a victim of covid rules constituency were in the room right now, what would they say? colleagues across the are decent people who want to do the right thing, and i urge them not to followjohnson�*s example. he claims the public do not care, that we should simply move on. believe me, i did not want to spend my weekend reading 30,000 words on the previous prime minister. to tackle soaring nhs waiting lists or anyissue tackle soaring nhs waiting lists or any issue that the people we represent brightly want to see addressed, mps and the public must be able to trust what ministers say in the house of commons, telling the

truth is the foundation of a functioning parliament, the basis on which we hold ministers to account is how we scrutinise new yours, it is how we scrutinise new yours, it is how we do ourjobs properly, our democracy depends on it. it is worth reminding members today before they vote that the public care about ministers lying to parliament. i cannot believe some need reminding, but clearly they do. the constitution unit at the university couege constitution unit at the university college london recently found public anger over dishonesty and politics runs deep. people watching this debate today support the work of the privileges committee, and rightly so. we all owe them a debt of gratitude. 0ur constituents want us to step up and enforce the rules when mps, including ministers, break them. being honest came top on a list of characteristics a publics told ucl they felt was most desirable in a politician. the health of democracy ranked high on

issues that matter. they want a prime minister who acts honourably, who tells the truth. the public can take some reassurance from the sorry saga, as when the premise fails that acts honourably, fails to tell the truth, we have a system in parliament to hold them to account. far from the unfounded claims of a kangaroo court, that i have heard from some, the committee members detailed their process, take every possible step to ensure fairness. they and their clerks and other staff deserve our thanks. the voted unanimously to establish the inquiry is the right honourable lady is admirably set out. the, and a former senior president of tribunal is an norjustice of the appeal. from clerks of the and more, they looked at how to apply general principles of fairness, rules of the, and procedural precedents. in the interests of transparency, they published a report last summer with

their intended process is laid out. they made comment on their workings when appropriate. they givejohnson more time to respond to the evidence. they allowed him to make its own submissions. and yet, since the start of the inquiry, there has been a sustained, seemingly coordinated attempt to undermine the credibility of the committee and the credibility of the committee and the credibility of the committee and the credibility of its individual members. at no point i can see the johnson denounces campaign. when asked by the committee, he said he had respect for them and that he deprecated terms such as witch hunt and a kangaroo court. as we have found out, he kept them in his back pocket all along to use as soon as things did not go his way. so, let's look at what they found: they analysed six occasions which occurred in downing street between 2020 and 2021 which the committee refers to as gatherings. using the evidence available, they were able to establish what the covid rules

and guidance where the time of each occasion, mrjohnson's knowledge of those rules and guidance, his attendance or knowledge of and attendance or knowledge of and attendance at the event, what he had been told by others and assurances he had been given about compliance, and what he told about the. the last point is obviously a matter of parliamentary record. we know that he spoke in the commons about kerry's compliance and number ten many times. the committee established this was more than 30 times. the ones which stand out include those at prime minister's questions which started with that posed by my honourable friend, the member for hornsey and wood green who asked the question about this in the 1st of december 2021. can i commend her and many other colleagues who did theirjobs as it scrutinises stop speaking then and at the committee, johnson asserted the rules and guidance were followed completely at all times and whilst he was present at gatherings. having

established this, this was measured against the actual facts of what happened, and what he knew or should reasonably have known at the time and subsequently. the committee found this was not correct. the term he used, imperfect social distancing, it was not one which could be found at the guidance. he put forward, and i quote, an unsustainable interpretation of the guidance, which was again i quote, both disingenuous and a retrospective contrivance to mislead the. in other words, retrospective contrivance to mislead the. in otherwords, mr speaker, borisjohnson lied. a new low in borisjohnson lied. a new low in borisjohnson's disregard for standards in public life. so, i ask honourable member across hours to ask themselves simply, does this pass the common—sense test? after lying his way to his career and considering the ben meticulous way the committee has approached this whole inquiry and their carefully considered report? do they still

trustjohnson? think back to 2020. in the first wave, we had no vaccine, no mass testing, nokia. people were afraid. people were dying. would any of us have considered that an event with an invite list of 200 with wine to boost staff morale or say thank you for hard work was essential for work purposes? and yet the former prime minister continues to say, even now, that it was. all of us will have constituent examples of heartbreaking cases where people did not meet in person, when they desperately wanted to. doctors, nurses, care workers, teachers, bus drivers would not have dreamt of asking the then prime minister if they could get together for a bring your own bottle party with a plus one. they would never have brought their interior designer, either. they knew the true meaning of sacrifice, they did not need to ask. they listened to him night after

night telling us, reminding us what the guidance and rules well. he was, as the committee said, the most prominent public promoter of those rules. so, it is simply not credible forjohnson to repeatedly claim that they were complied with, when the evidence is so damningly clear that they were not, and that he must have known stopped because, he was someone announcing them. this is not just a reasonable person test, it is seen who do you think you are kidding test. he fails both. mr speaker, the final area i want to cover in my speech is a current prime minister's reaction to this report, and where it leaves standards in parliament and public life and generally, as it is painfully clear he is not strong enough to turn the page on his predecessor. when stories or scandals like this one cut through with the public, it offers a bonus to press the reset button, show leadership, get to grips with an issue, tackle it head—on. this parameter is simply too weak to do

so. despite promising integrity, integrity, professionalism, accountability at every level, he has shown he is too weak to stand up to borisjohnson and his sycophants, which is profoundly generous, as if we cannot have a prime minister who stands up for standards, what have we got? all we have had so far is mealy—mouthed statements. it was on him to show an example they have mps, instead, he has proactively said he doesn't want to influence anybody for the powers that integrity at every level? if the prime minister cannot even show leadership, when it comes to holding lies to account, how can he expect the people of this country to trust a on anything? is it least planning to say something of note after the vote? 0r, to say something of note after the vote? or, is hisjudgment so poor that he is sitting this out completely? here's a prime minister, we should know where he stands. i asked the leader, has a prime minister at least read the report? does he personally endorsed the conclusions of the committee question mike to to back the sanctions and full? the opposition leader has done that. i asked the

leader, has the prime minister at least read the report? does he personally endorse the conclusions of the committee question might do to back the sanctions in full? the opposition leader has done that. why cannot he? as i have said, they have form. two years ago, borisjohnson and that then leader of the house tried to rip up the rules to save their friend, tried to rip up the rules to save theirfriend, 0wen paterson. hundreds of tory mps voted for them, and i'm sorry to say that this includes the current leader and her minister, who is missing them as well. this is all the hallmarks of patterssen 2.0. this time, mps are being encouraged to dodge the vote. i hope the honourable member and right honourable members will prove me wrong. real leader would not abdicate responsibility. a real leader would be encouraging members to rise to the moment. i welcome the nation in the name of the leader, but i ask, how on her side actually supports this? the government front bench from the media over the weekend otherwise seems to be in chaos. just yesterday, the levelling up chaos. just yesterday, the levelling up secretary said that he disagrees with the committee's conclusions. thus a leader know how many of her other cabinet colleagues are not supporting the motion? that's easiest way to work it out it's a thing which cabinet minister fancy

their chances when it comes to the next tory leadership election, which seems to be what we have been reduced to. cabinet ministers jostling for position with the membership. this is no way to run a country. i will happily give way. i thank my friend for giving a very powerful— thank my friend for giving a very powerful speech. does she not agree that the _ powerful speech. does she not agree that the prime minister not being here and — that the prime minister not being here and not saying he will also be voting _ here and not saying he will also be voting for— here and not saying he will also be voting for the motion is not a prime minister— voting for the motion is not a prime minister that is trying to avoid influencing the outcome, but who knows _ influencing the outcome, but who knows exactly what everyone ears trying _ knows exactly what everyone ears trying to _ knows exactly what everyone ears trying to influence, and his very absence — trying to influence, and his very absence is— trying to influence, and his very absence is seeking to influence the way members vote tonight. thank you for that intervention, _ way members vote tonight. thank you for that intervention, i _ way members vote tonight. thank you for that intervention, i agree. - way members vote tonight. thank you for that intervention, i agree. it - for that intervention, i agree. it seems to set up by minister his judgment is so poor it cannot find it in himself to give an opinion on the committee's conclusion. so, yes, i will happily give way.— i will happily give way. thank you. i will happily give way. thank you. i want to make _ i will happily give way. thank you. i want to make a _ i will happily give way. thank you. i want to make a brief _ i will happily give way. thank you. i want to make a brief point. - i will happily give way. thank you. i want to make a brief point. i- i will happily give way. thank you. i want to make a brief point. i am| i want to make a brief point. i am voting _ i want to make a brief point. i am voting in— i want to make a brief point. i am voting in support of this. i did not vote _ voting in support of this. i did not vote for— voting in support of this. i did not vote for owen paterson. can i remind

her, vote for owen paterson. can i remind her. we _ vote for owen paterson. can i remind her. we got _ vote for owen paterson. can i remind her, we got rid of borisjohnson one year ago _ her, we got rid of borisjohnson one year ago because he had lost our faith— year ago because he had lost our faith because he was probably not telling _ faith because he was probably not telling the truth. i am also an iraq war veteran, telling the truth. i am also an iraq warveteran, and the telling the truth. i am also an iraq war veteran, and the reality is that when _ war veteran, and the reality is that when tony— war veteran, and the reality is that when tony blair lied and lied and lied, _ when tony blair lied and lied and tied. vou — when tony blair lied and lied and lied, you not covered up for him. mr lied, you not covered up for him. speaker, i lied, you not covered up for him. m speaker, i think the honourable member wallet intervention. i must remind him that last friday, the current prime minister was too weak to stand up to the former prime minister and put a pause on his honours list. his dishonourable honours list. i will happily give way. honours list. i will happily give wa . . ., honours list. i will happily give wa . ~ ., honours list. i will happily give wa . . ., ., honours list. i will happily give way. would you agree that it is sad that we have _ way. would you agree that it is sad that we have come _ way. would you agree that it is sad that we have come to _ way. would you agree that it is sad that we have come to this? - way. would you agree that it is sad that we have come to this? it - that we have come to this? it has been _ that we have come to this? it has been inevitable, but it is sad. it is not _ been inevitable, but it is sad. it is not good _ been inevitable, but it is sad. it is not good for the, it is not good for the _ is not good for the, it is not good for the country. would you agree that we _ for the country. would you agree that we have also got to learn the lessons _ that we have also got to learn the lessons from this. this should not be able _ lessons from this. this should not be able to— lessons from this. this should not be able to happen again, and looking

at patronage, the way it has recently— at patronage, the way it has recently been used, people put into positions _ recently been used, people put into positions in — recently been used, people put into positions in the house of lords with no experience... we have to learn from _ no experience... we have to learn from this— no experience... we have to learn from this experience. it never should — from this experience. it never should happen again. don't see agree? — should happen again. don't see agree? 0t— should happen again. don't see aree? .., , , agree? of course, it is... the forein agree? of course, it is... the foreign minister— agree? of course, it is... the foreign minister waved - agree? of course, it is... the l foreign minister waved through agree? of course, it is... the - foreign minister waved through this dishonourable honours list. i will give way on that point. i am dishonourable honours list. i will give way on that point.— give way on that point. i am so confused _ give way on that point. i am so confused by — give way on that point. i am so confused by labour's _ give way on that point. i am so confused by labour's decision l confused by labour's decision when it comes _ confused by labour's decision when it comes to— confused by labour's decision when it comes to the honours list. i have never— it comes to the honours list. i have never seen — it comes to the honours list. i have never seen anyone from the front bench _ never seen anyone from the front bench sav — never seen anyone from the front bench say that they would vote to abandon — bench say that they would vote to abandon this practice. after all this, _ abandon this practice. after all this, they— abandon this practice. after all this, they cannot agree to our prime minister's _ this, they cannot agree to our prime minister's honours list, i'm taking this opportunity to clarify. | this opportunity to clarify. suggest this opportunity to clarify. i suggest the honourable member may be lessons to the today programme and catch up. the right honourable memberfor hoban and st pancras, the leader of the opposition, made clear that tony blair did not have a resignation honours list, gordon brown did not, and we believe that

this prime minister should have stood up to this former prime minister and his dishonourable honours list. this is no way to run a country. it is time they stopped squabbling amongst themselves, focused on doing the right thing by the people who put them there. as i mentioned, johnson attacked the committee. the severity of the sanction imposed on him takes into account, but it was notjust him. other tory mps have labelled it a kangaroo court. i wonder if the would be able to tell us, at business questions on thursday, does a premise to understand the significance of the comments? what is he going to do about his own mps undermining our democratic institutions? as this week prime ministerfails to step institutions? as this week prime minister fails to step in to protect parliament sanders and systems, i asked the leader if she could step up asked the leader if she could step up and condemn colleagues acting in this way. as parliament's representative of the government, will she demand that... duck prime

minister is on _ will she demand that... duck prime minister is on record _ will she demand that... duck prime minister is on record in _ will she demand that... duck prime minister is on record in defending l minister is on record in defending the work— minister is on record in defending the work of— minister is on record in defending the work of the _ minister is on record in defending the work of the privileges - the work of the privileges committee. _ the work of the privileges committee.— the work of the privileges committee. . , .. ., .,, committee. he has called out those who have overstepped _ committee. he has called out those who have overstepped the - committee. he has called out those who have overstepped the mark- committee. he has called out those l who have overstepped the mark from genuine _ who have overstepped the mark from genuine and legitimate questions around _ genuine and legitimate questions around process and so forth to attacking — around process and so forth to attacking and intimidating members of the _ attacking and intimidating members of the committee, and bringing the into disrepute. regarding her other point, _ into disrepute. regarding her other point, she — into disrepute. regarding her other point, she seems to be inferring the prime _ point, she seems to be inferring the prime minister is not doing particular things, prime minister is not doing particularthings, or other colleagues are not, because of their standing _ colleagues are not, because of their standing in — colleagues are not, because of their standing in any leadership contest. what _ standing in any leadership contest. what i _ standing in any leadership contest. what i would point out is that the prime _ what i would point out is that the prime minister does not need to win a leadership contest. he is the prime — a leadership contest. he is the prime minister. | a leadership contest. he is the prime minister.— a leadership contest. he is the prime minister. i take the right honourable _ prime minister. i take the right honourable lady _ prime minister. i take the right honourable lady for _ prime minister. i take the right honourable lady for that - honourable lady for that clarification, i think it is not me she needs to remind, it is some of her own colleagues, who are obviously fighting the next leadership contest already. i asked

her, she could please, as parliament's representative in pa rliament�*s representative in government, parliament's representative in government, remind her colleagues of the importance of truth of the dispatch box and also the process by which ministers are making inadvertent and honest mistakes, that they clarify as soon as possible. she had asked the home secretary to do that in regard to the asylum decision backlog, which i understand she has not yet done. in conclusion, mr speaker,... happily. conclusion, mr speaker, . .. happily. i conclusion, mr speaker,... happily. i thank the right honourable friend for giving — i thank the right honourable friend for giving way. we now know that boris _ for giving way. we now know that boris johnson for giving way. we now know that borisjohnson lied to for giving way. we now know that boris johnson lied to the. we also know, _ boris johnson lied to the. we also know. as — boris johnson lied to the. we also know, as she said, that on 30 occasions, _ know, as she said, that on 30 occasions, he came to this and told those _ occasions, he came to this and told those ties, — occasions, he came to this and told those lies, and he did so to cheers and whoops — those lies, and he did so to cheers and whoops from all of the members opposite _ and whoops from all of the members opposite. does she agree with me that they— opposite. does she agree with me that they bear some response ability for this— that they bear some response ability for this and, if they do not absolve themselves by voting in a certain way today, — themselves by voting in a certain way today, their constituents are going _ way today, their constituents are going to — way today, their constituents are going to look on them very unfavourably. | going to look on them very unfavourably.— going to look on them very unfavourabl . . ,, , ., .,

unfavourably. i thank my honourable friend that intervention, _ unfavourably. i thank my honourable friend that intervention, she - unfavourably. i thank my honourable friend that intervention, she is - friend that intervention, she is absolutely right. not only did hr or cheddarformer prime absolutely right. not only did hr or cheddar former prime minister on, but the isle of wight member says, they got rid of him in the prime minister last year, that is only after propping him up for a considerable amount of time. in conclusion mr speaker, standards matter. rules matter. parliament matters. respect for truth, matter. rules matter. parliament matters. respect fortruth, behaving honourably, abiding by our rules, respecting our processes, this all matters. why? because without this, we are nothing. and if we are nothing, we are failing democracy, and we are failing the people we have been elected to represent. if we lose a trust, if they stop believing in democracy, our abilities to serve them are crushed, our mandate that represent them is diminished. to come back to where i started with a heart summer cave memorial wall when we hold the vote this evening, we hold democracy and

the highest esteem, respect the institutions of this, and we on the side respect the process of the committee has undertaken. i will approve the clear and just conclusions of the privileges committee, and i urge all colleagues on both sides of the to vote where i am voting today to endorse and support and approve the privileges committee, and do the same, and do right by their constituents. thank you mr speaker. mr right by their constituents. thank you mr speaker-— right by their constituents. thank you mr speaker. mr speaker, i think the last speech _ you mr speaker. mr speaker, i think the last speech was _ you mr speaker. mr speaker, i think the last speech was perhaps - you mr speaker. mr speaker, i think the last speech was perhaps more . the last speech was perhaps more party— the last speech was perhaps more party political than was deserved by the occasion. i would have preferred to have _ the occasion. i would have preferred to have spoken after the chair of the privileges committee, but i do so now _ the privileges committee, but i do so now i— the privileges committee, but i do so now. i draw the attention of the to page _ so now. i draw the attention of the to page 90. — so now. i draw the attention of the to page 90, which is about the proportion of the response to the committee's warning letter. what he says. _ committee's warning letter. what he says. and _ committee's warning letter. what he says, and what their comments are,

seem _ says, and what their comments are, seem to _ says, and what their comments are, seem to imply the context of process on the _ seem to imply the context of process on the fact— seem to imply the context of process on the fact that the committee itself— on the fact that the committee itself has — on the fact that the committee itself has given their understanding of what _ itself has given their understanding of what facts were and how it try to exclude, _ of what facts were and how it try to exclude, successfully, things that were _ exclude, successfully, things that were not— exclude, successfully, things that were not facts. the question i think facing _ were not facts. the question i think facing each — were not facts. the question i think facing each of us, is, no matter how many— facing each of us, is, no matter how many good — facing each of us, is, no matter how many good things we have done, and a former— many good things we have done, and a former foreign minister did many good _ former foreign minister did many good things, is what we do when we have done _ good things, is what we do when we have done something wrong. although it was— have done something wrong. although it was on— have done something wrong. although it was on a _ have done something wrong. although it was on a pretty unimportant issue. — it was on a pretty unimportant issue. i— it was on a pretty unimportant issue, i noted that on the 2nd of december— issue, i noted that on the 2nd of december in 1985, i managed to get two sentences into one line in the corner— two sentences into one line in the corner of— two sentences into one line in the corner of hansard. my words were, i made _ corner of hansard. my words were, i made a _ corner of hansard. my words were, i made a mistake. i apologise. corner of hansard. my words were, i made a mistake. iapologise. it seems — made a mistake. iapologise. it seems to— made a mistake. iapologise. it seems to me that for anyone else caught— seems to me that for anyone else caught in— seems to me that for anyone else caught in the situation which we are considering — caught in the situation which we are considering today, that is advice i hope _ considering today, that is advice i hope someone will give me. i also support— hope someone will give me. i also support the — hope someone will give me. i also support the committee. we hope someone will give me. i also support the committee.— hope someone will give me. i also support the committee. we now come to the snp's — support the committee. we now come

to the snp's spokesperson. _ support the committee. we now come to the snp's spokesperson. he - support the committee. we now come to the snp's spokesperson. he at - support the committee. we now come to the snp's spokesperson. he at we. to the snp's spokesperson. he await: have to the snp's spokesperson. he a have always had a great deal of concern — have always had a great deal of concern at _ have always had a great deal of concern at the conduct of this tory government, which must lead us through— government, which must lead us through the pandemic from the beginning to end. at times, terrified _ beginning to end. at times, terrified us. we saw photos of boris johnson _ terrified us. we saw photos of boris johnson surrounded by empty champagne bottles, heard how the former— champagne bottles, heard how the former health secretary got his pandemic strategy from the contagion moviei _ pandemic strategy from the contagion movie. and _ pandemic strategy from the contagion movie, and how the former chancellor and current prime minister was on the receiving end of a fixed penalty fine over— the receiving end of a fixed penalty fine over partygate. hundred of those _ fine over partygate. hundred of those fines were issued to politicians at the heart of government and investigations are not done _ government and investigations are not done yet. a culture of not just bending _ not done yet. a culture of not just bending the rules but chattering them _ bending the rules but chattering them. right until this moment, members — them. right until this moment, members like my honourable friend, the member for russ guy were being thrown _ the member for russ guy were being thrown out _ the member for russ guy were being thrown out of this place for pointing _ thrown out of this place for pointing out the borisjohnson lied and tied _ pointing out the borisjohnson lied and lied about this incident, or why the liar—

and lied about this incident, or why the iiar was— and lied about this incident, or why the liar was protected by procedure. the privileges committee is forensic in its approach and reveals a culture — in its approach and reveals a culture of— in its approach and reveals a culture of entitlement that has eroded — culture of entitlement that has eroded the very foundations of that which _ eroded the very foundations of that which passes for democracy at westminster. it says that the overall— westminster. it says that the overall thrust of mrjohnson's evidence _ overall thrust of mrjohnson's evidence for the committee has been to downplay the significance, and narrow— to downplay the significance, and narrow the — to downplay the significance, and narrow the scope of the assertions made _ narrow the scope of the assertions made against the. it uses words like disingenuous, misleading. it talks about— disingenuous, misleading. it talks about mr— disingenuous, misleading. it talks about mrjohnson using language which _ about mrjohnson using language which was contrary to common english usage. _ which was contrary to common english usage. of— which was contrary to common english usage, of him advancing an unsustainable interpretation of guidance. the report's tone is flat and completely professional, and absolutely damning. it is also shedding more light on behaviour which _ shedding more light on behaviour which proved without doubt that it really _ which proved without doubt that it really was — which proved without doubt that it really was one rule for them and another— really was one rule for them and another rule for us. since its publication, we have seen clips reveai— publication, we have seen clips reveal the _ publication, we have seen clips reveal the unbelievable arrogance of

those _ reveal the unbelievable arrogance of those posing for photos and being found _ those posing for photos and being found dancing at tory hq apparently on a day— found dancing at tory hq apparently on a day when it was announced london — on a day when it was announced london was _ on a day when it was announced london was entering tier 3 restrictions. and then, rewarding some _ restrictions. and then, rewarding some of— restrictions. and then, rewarding some of those taking part with honours — some of those taking part with honours. people died alone while number— honours. people died alone while number ten officials had friday wine time _ number ten officials had friday wine time the _ number ten officials had friday wine time. the reason these people spend their final— time. the reason these people spend their final moments alone was because — their final moments alone was because they were following the orders _ because they were following the orders of — because they were following the orders of a government which disregarded its own policies so blatantly, suitcases filled with booze — blatantly, suitcases filled with booze, and office karaoke machines, were ignored as they will be reeled in. were ignored as they will be reeled in and _ were ignored as they will be reeled in. and then, borisjohnson lied about— in. and then, borisjohnson lied about it — in. and then, borisjohnson lied about it. paragraph 210 of the report— about it. paragraph 210 of the report is— about it. paragraph 210 of the report is scathing. there is no precedent _ report is scathing. there is no precedent for a prime minister having — precedent for a prime minister having been found to deliberately have misled the. he misled the on an issue _ have misled the. he misled the on an issue of— have misled the. he misled the on an issue of the _ have misled the. he misled the on an issue of the greatest importance to the and _ issue of the greatest importance to the and the public, and he did so

repeatedly. yes of course. does my honourable — repeatedly. yes of course. does my honourable friend _ repeatedly. yes of course. does my honourable friend agree _ repeatedly. yes of course. does my honourable friend agree with - repeatedly. yes of course. does my honourable friend agree with me i repeatedly. yes of course. does my i honourable friend agree with me that the outpouring we have seen on social media of people sharing the pain of these instances, of a lost daughter to suicide, of closest funerals that they could not attend... these scars will not disappear in peoples lifetimes. this demand to move on and trivialisation of this notjust demand to move on and trivialisation of this not just the final insult to people? i of this not 'ust the final insult to --eole? . ., , , of this not 'ust the final insult to --eole? , , ., people? i completely agree. the stories i've _ people? i completely agree. the stories i've seen _ people? i completely agree. the stories i've seen on _ people? i completely agree. the stories i've seen on social- people? i completely agree. the stories i've seen on social media j stories i've seen on social media and how— stories i've seen on social media and how to — stories i've seen on social media and how to constituents are utterly heartbreaking. i think this report vindicates— heartbreaking. i think this report vindicates every single person who made _ vindicates every single person who made immense personal sacrifices during _ made immense personal sacrifices during the — made immense personal sacrifices during the pandemic. i am extremely grateful— during the pandemic. i am extremely grateful for _ during the pandemic. i am extremely grateful for the work of the committee and its officers, particularly in such a hostile environment of relentless intimidation and insult. you would like to— intimidation and insult. you would like to think that its recommendations will ensure such a

monumental betrayal of public trust would _ monumental betrayal of public trust would never be undertaken so tightly again. _ would never be undertaken so tightly again, however, borisjohnson and his allies— again, however, borisjohnson and his allies continued refusal to accept — his allies continued refusal to accept the findings and recommendations of the report is a further— recommendations of the report is a further affront to the democratic process — further affront to the democratic process. in fact, the former prime minister's — process. in fact, the former prime minister's relationship with the truth _ minister's relationship with the truth is — minister's relationship with the truth is so distorted that i'm not actually— truth is so distorted that i'm not actually shot if he comprehends the depths— actually shot if he comprehends the depths of— actually shot if he comprehends the depths of his own deception. it is either— depths of his own deception. it is either that, depths of his own deception. it is eitherthat, he depths of his own deception. it is either that, he still depths of his own deception. it is eitherthat, he stillthinks depths of his own deception. it is either that, he still thinks he can play is _ either that, he still thinks he can play is all— either that, he still thinks he can play is all for fools. in that, i would — play is all for fools. in that, i would say— play is all for fools. in that, i would say at least that the game is up. would say at least that the game is up we _ would say at least that the game is up. we cannot risk reinforcing the message — up. we cannot risk reinforcing the message that those in positions of power— message that those in positions of power can— message that those in positions of power can deny, dismiss, and evade the consequences of their own actions — the consequences of their own actions. instead, this must work to regain _ actions. instead, this must work to regain some — actions. instead, this must work to regain some of the trust at least that it _ regain some of the trust at least that it has — regain some of the trust at least that it has already lost, and safe guard _ that it has already lost, and safe guard the — that it has already lost, and safe guard the democratic process. to do otherwise _ guard the democratic process. to do otherwise would set an extremely dangerous precedent. of course, mr speaker, _ dangerous precedent. of course, mr speaker, this comes alongside the news _ speaker, this comes alongside the news that—

speaker, this comes alongside the news that the government has published plans for an independent scotland _ published plans for an independent scotland to have a codified constitution written by the people for the _ constitution written by the people for the people, and crucially, holding — for the people, and crucially, holding our representatives accountable to the people. not only will our— accountable to the people. not only will our constitution guarantee our human— will our constitution guarantee our human rights and in nhs free... it would— human rights and in nhs free... it would ensure no scottish parliament would _ would ensure no scottish parliament would ever— would ensure no scottish parliament would ever take so much time during the cost _ would ever take so much time during the cost of— would ever take so much time during the cost of living crisis figuring out how — the cost of living crisis figuring out how to discipline out—of—control politicians _ out how to discipline out—of—control politicians that like to push flimsy westminster conventions to the absolute — westminster conventions to the absolute limit. over the weekend mr johnson _ absolute limit. over the weekend mr johnson again tested it by breaching the ministerial code with the announcement of his latest inside 'ob. announcement of his latest inside job mr_ announcement of his latest inside job. mr speaker, this mess is also about— job. mr speaker, this mess is also about a _ job. mr speaker, this mess is also about a party that ignored the obvious— about a party that ignored the obvious failings of a man because it thought— obvious failings of a man because it thought that it could win them power~ — thought that it could win them power~ i— thought that it could win them power. i have read, mr speaker, that many— power. i have read, mr speaker, that many members of the members opposite

planned _ many members of the members opposite planned to _ many members of the members opposite planned to abstain it, terrified of constituents who are unfortunately taken _ constituents who are unfortunately taken in _ constituents who are unfortunately taken in by the clown prince that was the — taken in by the clown prince that was the former prime minister playing — was the former prime minister playing the buffoon for them. he has jumped _ playing the buffoon for them. he has jumped ship and escaped the censure of this, _ jumped ship and escaped the censure of this, but— jumped ship and escaped the censure of this, but we need to turn our gaze _ of this, but we need to turn our gaze to— of this, but we need to turn our gaze to one _ of this, but we need to turn our gaze to one of the members opposite who ignored his track record, indulged _ who ignored his track record, indulged his behaviour, and the obvious— indulged his behaviour, and the obvious failings of the man simply because _ obvious failings of the man simply because he thought he could win them seats _ because he thought he could win them seats. ., ~' , ., because he thought he could win them seats. . ,, , ., ., ., ~ seats. thank you for getting away. a fantastic speech. _ seats. thank you for getting away. a fantastic speech. they _ seats. thank you for getting away. a fantastic speech. they knew - seats. thank you for getting away. a fantastic speech. they knew exactly | fantastic speech. they knew exactly the character of that man. they cheered on his buffoonery. it was then that foisted him upon the nation. and it is them who will be held responsible and accountable for all of thejohnson held responsible and accountable for all of the johnson mess held responsible and accountable for all of thejohnson mess left behind. there are four by—elections coming up there are four by—elections coming up in the next few weeks. three of them are because ofjohnson's legacy. what does she think of the chances and those by—elections? well, i never like to get on these things. _ well, i never like to get on these things. but— well, i never like to get on these things, but i would suggest that

given— things, but i would suggest that given the — things, but i would suggest that given the behaviour we have seen in recent— given the behaviour we have seen in recent weeks, those chances are looking _ recent weeks, those chances are looking pretty slim. i think at the very least, — looking pretty slim. i think at the very least, they should sow some remorse — very least, they should sow some remorse for cynicism. they should accept _ remorse for cynicism. they should accept the — remorse for cynicism. they should accept the recommendations of this report— accept the recommendations of this report and _ accept the recommendations of this report and vote for those recommendations. if they don't, i hope _ recommendations. if they don't, i hope they're cowardly refusal will do. hope they're cowardly refusal will dog them for the rest of their political— dog them for the rest of their political lives. if ever there was a moment— political lives. if ever there was a moment for them to stand up and be counted. _ moment for them to stand up and be counted. it _ moment for them to stand up and be counted, it is now. however, it is too much, — counted, it is now. however, it is too much, i— counted, it is now. however, it is too much, i suppose, to expect apologies— too much, i suppose, to expect apologies from one of those who defended him and kept him in his place _ defended him and kept him in his place. unbelievably, isee defended him and kept him in his place. unbelievably, i see that the secretary— place. unbelievably, i see that the secretary of state for scotland continues to support scotland, arguing — continues to support scotland, arguing he is not as unpopular in scotland — arguing he is not as unpopular in scotland as was thought. the month before _ scotland as was thought. the month before johnson resigned last year, a poll showed that 83% of those responding had a negative view of him _ responding had a negative view of him so. — responding had a negative view of him so. if— responding had a negative view of him. so, if the secretary of state thinks _ him. so, if the secretary of state thinks opinions of the management have got— thinks opinions of the management have got better, he has another think— have got better, he has another think coming. he also claims

astoundingly that the decisions johnson — astoundingly that the decisions johnson made for scotland will serve scotland _ johnson made for scotland will serve scotland very well for decades to come _ scotland very well for decades to come. what a statement. when we consider— come. what a statement. when we consider the disastrous impact of a brekit— consider the disastrous impact of a brexit whichjohnson was instrumental in persuading people to supporti _ instrumental in persuading people to support, and individuals and organisations up and down scotland... then, there is the inadequacy of eu funding, treasury funds— inadequacy of eu funding, treasury funds being ransacked like a sweetie 'ar funds being ransacked like a sweetie jar to _ funds being ransacked like a sweetie jar to award funds being ransacked like a sweetie jarto award mps, funds being ransacked like a sweetie jar to award mps, the internal market— jar to award mps, the internal market act and the constant interference in devolved responsibilities. we see the consequences outwith the uk government effectively having a veto over legislation passed by our democratically elected parliament in scotland _ democratically elected parliament in scotland. although he is right on one may, — scotland. although he is right on one may, johnson's toxic legacy of the decisions made by his government and then— the decisions made by his government and then impose on the scottish members were not even be attending today. impose on the scottish people _ and then impose on the scottish people _ and then impose on the scottish people will certainly be affecting and then impose on the scottish people will certainly be affecting them _ them _ people will certainly be affecting them for years to come. and, given people will certainly be affecting them for years to come. and, given labour's _ them for years to come. and, given labour's refusal to ditch brexit in today~ _ labour's _ them for years to come. and, given labour's refusal to ditch brexit in any government that comes after any government that comes after this _ this _ any government that comes after this now. — any government that comes after this. now, of course, we know some any government that comes after this now. — any government that comes after this. now, of course, we know some

members _ this. now, of course, we know some members were not even be attending members _ this. now, of course, we know some members were not even be attending today~ _ members were not even be attending today i_ members were not even be attending today i a _ members were not even be attending today. ia prime members were not even be attending today. i a prime minister is so withering _ today. i a prime minister is so withering. perhaps it is too close to home — withering. perhaps it is too close to home given his own fixed penalty fine. to home given his own fixed penalty fine what— to home given his own fixed penalty fine. what a spineless dereliction of the _ fine. what a spineless dereliction of the responsibilities of his office — of the responsibilities of his office did not show active support for the _ office did not show active support for the accommodations of the committee. the committee concludes thatjohnson committee. the committee concludes that johnson deliberately